12.06.2022 PC MinutesCHANHASSEN PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 2022
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman von Oven called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Eric Noyes, Mark von Oven, Erik Johnson, Perry Schwartz, Ryan
Soller, Edward Goff, and Kelsey Alto.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: Kate Aanenson, Community Development Director; MacKenzie Young-
Walters, Associate Planner; Joe Seidl, Water Resources Engineer.
PUBLIC PRESENT: None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. ANNUAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE CITY'S MS4 PERMIT AND SWPPP
Water Resources Engineer Seidl gave a presentation on the item, noting a requirement from the
MS4 permit is to provide a minimum of one opportunity per year for the public to provide input
on adequacy of the SWPPP (Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan). He explained the collecting
and conveying of stormwater through the MS4 with the goal to reduce the amount of sediment
and other pollutants entering state waters from stormwater systems. Mr. Seidl gave an example
of waste load allocations regarding sediment and shared about the six MCM’s (Minimum
Control Measures) and the city’s plans and purposes under each category. The six categories
include Public Education and Outreach, Public Participation and Involvement, Illicit Discharge
Detection and Elimination, Construction Site Stormwater Control, Post Construction Stormwater
Management, and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping. Mr. Seidl noted the city is working
to increase communication including the website and creating digestible content and will be
engaging an engineering firm to do an audit of Chanhassen’s MS4 program. He hopes the city
will move within the next year from a “C student” to a “B student” regarding the program.
The Commissioners discussed communication and notification to the public regarding the MS4
and the adopt-a-drain program.
Commissioner Schwartz shared about his homeowners’ association which thought they owned a
stormwater pond and hired an outside company to discharge chemicals and hook up bubblers
into the pond. They then realized that City Code prohibits this action. He noted any
communication, especially to HOAs, will be beneficial in case others are doing the same thing.
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Commissioner Alto asked about grant programs the city could leverage for rain gardens and
similar programs.
Mr. Seidl shared the Watershed Districts have programs that cost match.
Mr. Young-Walters spoke about Master Water Stewards which also has cost match programs.
The Commissioners discussed ways to increase communication regarding stormwater and the
MS4 including Facebook, mailings or stuffers included with a water bill, and QR Codes for more
information.
Chairman von Oven opened the public hearing. There were no public comments
Chairman von Oven closed the public hearing.
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. DISCUSS PROPOSED SIGN CODE UPDATE
Associate Planner Young-Walters gave a presentation noting staff is looking for feedback and
this item will go before the Economic Development Commission (EDC) in December. After the
City Council has looked it over and local businesses have given feedback, he believes the Sign
Code re-write would come back for a formal public hearing. The city’s current Sign Code was
first established in 1995; since then, the business climate has changed and there has been a major
court case. In 2015, the Supreme Court (Reed v. Gilbert) had a ruling that significantly altered
how cities can regulate signage. The City Council asked staff to begin digging into the Sign
Code which is why they are discussing it tonight. Mr. Young-Walters shared high level changes
including temporary signage, accommodating trends in signage, evaluating historically
problematic requirements (logo ratio, dimensioned letters, and one sign per frontage), improving
readability by standardizing formatting and language, and eliminating unnecessary levels of
review. Mr. Young-Walters spoke about types of signage within the city and shared photo
examples on screen.
The Commissioners discussed informational and residential signage including a cumulative
maximum size standard in the 12-16 square foot range, setbacks, political signage, lighted signs,
and exemptions for holiday decorations.
Mr. Young-Walters shared about business signage and showed photo examples including
multiple signs on one wall of a business.
The Commissioners discussed multiple signs on one wall and regulating by capping the total
wall area percentage that can be covered..
Mr. Young-Walters shared about logo-to-letter ratio, noting many companies have corporate
branding standards that prescribe what they want the ratio sizes to see. Chanhassen’s current
standard has a 30% ratio and he shared examples on screen of non-conformities, signs that met
the ratio, and signs such as which were unable to meet the standard. He asked if 30% is over-
prescriptive and noted he has proposed raising it to 50% to allow flexibility. Mr. Young-Walters
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noted the city also has a one-half inch dimensioned letter requirement, which requires that letters
must pop-out one-half inch to avoid flat signage and contrasted those signs against other flat
signage in the area. He noted that he added language to the Code regarding projecting signs and
awning signs.
The Commissioners discussed the need for careful verbiage regarding flat signs, a percentage for
overhang or awning signage, and upkeep standards for any type of business signs. They
supported retaining the ½” standard and applying it to projecting signage as well.
Mr. Young-Walters showed examples of development, pick-up, and directional signage within
the city, and spoke about introducing permit and standardizing these types of signs.
The Commissioners discussed safety requirements, footings for signs, permits, and sight lines
within parking lot areas and roadways. The Commission supported requiring permits for these
signs.
Mr. Young-Walters spoke about level of decision-making and asked if the Planning Commission
should be able to approve sign variances.
The Commissioners discussed variances, guidance from staff regarding signage if they did start
seeing sign variances, feather signs and height limits, and inflatable signs. They expressed a
preference to have deviations from the sign code appear before the Planning Commission, and a
general opposition to permitting feather signs.
Mr. Young-Walters will type the Planning Commission’s comments for the EDC agenda packet;
he stated the EDC will see the same presentation and discuss the content.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES DATED NOVEMBER 1, 2022
Commissioner Alto noted the summary Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting
dated November 1, 2022 as presented.
COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
ADMINISTRATIVE PRESENTATIONS
CORRESPONDENCE DISCUSSION
2022 HOUSING POLICY AND PRODUCTION SURVEY REPORT
OPEN DISCUSSION
1. City Council Action Update
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Community Development Director Aanenson gave an update noting the Avienda Townhome
final plat was approved, Fox Hill received three lots, and the variance extension was approved
(on a case-by-case basis).
ADJOURNMENT:
Commissioner Soller moved to adjourn the meeting. All voted in favor and the motion
carried unanimously with a vote of 7 to 0. The Planning Commission meeting was
adjourned at 9:03 p.m.
Submitted by Kate Aanenson
Community Development Director